United Well in (02.04.05)

IT MAY have been Welling United who were throwing the punches at York Road on Saturday, but it was Maidenhead United who landed the knockout punches as they successfully scrapped for points in their 42-round fight against relegation.
The Magpies clawed their way back from a sluggish start to take a two-goal lead into the break thanks to strikes from Lawrence Yaku, while The Wings had their ambitions of an 11th away win prematurely clipped.
The visitors grabbed a penalty after the break, but they did not deserve any more, and indeed ended the contest with 10 men after Lew Watts blew a fuse and was dismissed for thumping Craig O’Connor with just seconds remaining.
In truth the Magpies played no better or worse than on many other occasions at home this season, but they took their early chances, and were resolute in defence when the inevitable pressure came.
Getting back to winning ways was the main prize for the hosts,.
However, rediscovering the ability to hang on to a well-earned lead proved to be the icing on the cake.
Despite an ominous opening, which saw the hosts lose defender Andy Dugdale in the warm-up and a confident opposition get on the front foot early, it was the Magpies who bagged the crucial first goal on 17 minutes.
A decent Magpies move seemed to have broken down, but an attempted clearance rebounded into the path of Yaku who drove the ball through the legs of keeper Charlie Mitten.
An interesting half continued with Welling’s Moussa Sidibe heading just wide, while the Magpies’ Yaku had a decent shout for a penalty, and then missed the target from six yards after a fine run and cross from O’Connor.
However, this setback was put behind them when Yaku scored a stunning individual effort on 30 minutes.
The tireless O’Connor chased down a back pass and forced Mitten into slicing his clearance to Yaku who was 30 yards from goal. The Magpies No.10 took a neat first touch then fired the ball over the retreating keeper and in off the inside of the upright.
The visitors should have reduced the lead minutes before the end of the half, but Dan Talbot was unable to get a touch when in front of goal following a Onome Sodje cross.
With Rob Bixby and Lee Kersey solid at the back, the Magpies produced a controlled display after the break, although this did allow Welling a greater share of possession.
On the hour the visitors took advantage when Tommy Tyne was bundled over in the box and Paul Booth neatly tucked home the resulting penalty.
After this there were half-chances at either end, and Yaku did well not to add to his two-goal tally, but of the two teams it was the hosts who looked to have the real cutting edge.
But the second half will be remembered for the 18-man brawl which occurred seconds before the final whistle when Watts was red-carded for a blatant right-hook on the terrier-like O’Connor after which most of the players decided to get involved.
But overall, nothing could dull the gloss for the Magpies of a victory which had been based upon a professional, battling approach; qualities they will need to repeat if they are to avoid the drop.

AIR RAID (above): Magpie Guy Ekwalla gets a crucial touch on the football. Ref:88411/20